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Should I get a cheap 5er?

#21
Last fall, I found a Yamaha fretless 5 in a pawn shop for $200. I'd never had a 5 or a fretless. With a good set of GHS flats, I had a decent 5er. It took a few sessions to get use to playing a 5. The rest of the band were very patient as they were really digging the tone I was getting. A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a Squier Active Jazz Deluxe V for $380 with tax in. I replaced the stock Fender Stainless with TI Jazz flats. When I went to rehearsal, I got a little bit of "gear-snobbery" from the guitarist over it being a Squier and all that. I asked him to put it on hold until after we ran through a set or two.
A few tunes into rehearsal, the drummer asked what I was doing differently. He said he could feel his set shaking from the low end I was putting out. Not volume - bass, and I had only hit the active during a guitar solo.
When we took a break, the guitarist complimented me on the new addition.

Yes, I had a little trouble with the transition from 4 to 5 at first. Will I gig with my Squier? Absolutely !
Maybe not as cheap as Mekanic would prefer, but good value.
 
#24
Never hurts to have a fiver if you want to stick your toe in. Like many folks say, an SX might be the best way to get a playable instrument cheap.

Worst case: You don't like it and sell it.

Like someone said above, I got my fiver because our cover band did some stuff in D. I've enjoyed playing with the lower notes and sometimes use the fiver on some traditional "four-string songs" to give them some more texture or because the tone of that particular bass suits the song better.

I still spend more time playing on one of my fours. YMMV. Best of luck.
 
#25
I'd say go for it! I've been playing 5's for years now...I never pick up a 4-string anymore. I can still play one but I love having the extended low range that a B string offers. I have an SX 5 string fretless and was really impressed it's playability and sound considering how inexpensive it was. Been thinking about buying another one actually...as long it's one of the older headstocks. Although often bashed, Ibanez basses are great for the money IMHO. I have an old Prestige 5 from the mid 90's that is still a great playing and sounding bass. Extremely comfortable and fast neck. Another consideration is the Peavey Grind models. I have a 6 string Grind BXP (I think it's BXP) that replaced a 6 string Modulus that was stolen and I couldn't be happier with it. Great bass for low dough. Pretty tight string spacing though. Seems more and more songs call for that low B nowadays so you might as well jump on the 5 string bandwagon :)
 
#27
I bought a cheap Peavey 5 to start on 5ers. Had to do shimming and soldering to get it right, but it was a good starter. Then I stepped up to a USA Fender V Jazz.

Just don't get something that you hate soundwise, string spacing, etc. or you may not take the next necessary step up.
 
#30
I'm also having the 5 string converter syndrom as I like to call it.

I got a ATK so it's not in your range right now but, I like it's versatility it can mimic the BiG 3 (P bass, Jazz, and Stingray) and somehow the 3 band EQ gives you access to even more tones. Granted it's a heavy bass I traded mine in for one around 9 pds so if I were you I'd look for a light ATK.

ATK's are rare or close to it in the Used 5 string market.

But, I'd suggest for you if you want the cheap route is the Ibanez GSR105ex, a used S.U.B., a old used Korean or Japanese Squier, SX, or the dreaded Rogue just don't expect the Rogue to last or sound very pleasing.
 
#36
basspraiser said:
Go reasonable NOT cheap.....you should be able to find a decent used Lakland 55-01 for $500 to $600 or so....these basses are very underrated....and their neck almost plays itself!
Click to expand...

I would love a Lakland, but I've gotta say, $500 is pushing it for me at the moment, as I'm saving for a home.

My main reasons for wanting a 5 are this... more and more songs are using that B.

I need to try one before I decide on a major bass purchase. I want a USA MTD at some point, but I don't want to buy an X string when later on I decide I'm a Y kinda guy.

I tend to keep everything forever, so I want to be sure I'm going to get something that's gonna stay with me forever when making such a large purchase.

I WILL go higher than $100, thats no problem, if the bass is worth it to me. I just don't want to spend a bunch of money on something I'm not sure I want.

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna run into the same dilemma thinking about fretless in the future, thats why I was thinking of the SX Fretless 5 string. Jump into both at the same time.

~Rich
 
#39
I learned on a 5 string but had a 4 string for the longest. Now I play on a 6 but that's not here or there. Really if you can find a use for the low B go for it. Personally I never really use it for the stuff I play but when messing around it finds it's way in there.
 

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